A Jewel in Henry's Crown

Chapter Twenty-One: Birth of a Prince and Surprises

It was autumn again and Charlotte was getting ready for her wedding. At last it was really happening. Her mother and the Lady Rochford were helping her straighten her white gown and veil. Lady Wallace had been crying all morning and laughing, holding her sixteen-year-old daughter as it was her wedding day. One of the queen's ladies-in-waiting stepped in, clearing her throat. "Your Grace, Her Majesty would like a word." The lady-in-waiting said. Lady Wallace nodded reassuringly. She and Lady Rochford walked to the other room when the Queen stepped in. She was smiling radiantly. "Good morning, Your Grace," she greeted. "I just wanted to congratulate you on your wedding. You look wonderful."

"Thank you, Your Majesty," Charlotte said, with a warm smile. Queen Jane noticed the lapis lazuli crown that had been a gift from her and Henry. She picked up the jeweled crown and placed it on top of Charlotte's head.

"There," Jane exclaimed. Charlotte had curtsied as Queen Jane put the jeweled crown on her head. Charlotte rose. "You are ready."

Jane suddenly felt a hard kick in her stomach and paled. "Your Majesty?" Charlotte exclaimed. Jane had nearly collapsed. "Your Majesty! Mama, Jane come quick!" she cried.

Lady Wallace and the Lady Rochford ran out of the other room quickly. Two other maids rushed in. Queen Jane grasped onto Charlotte's hands so she wouldn't fall over. "I am t…t-terribly sorry, Charlotte." Jane gasped, as she clutched her stomach.

"No, do not apologize Your Majesty!" Charlotte begged. "Your heir is more important than my wedding day."

Charlotte turned to the maids. "Go and inform His Majesty that the Queen is having contractions and could possibly go into labour today!"

The maids hesitated. "Go! Now!" Charlotte yelled at them. They ran out of the room to tell the King of the news. Meanwhile, Charlotte, Lady Wallace and Lady Rochford all helped the queen to the bedchamber. "You must breathe, Your Majesty."

Queen Jane nodded as she lay on her back on the bed. Charlotte left quickly out of the room and found Charles. She panicked. "Charles!" she cried. He saw her and was about to speak. "Her Majesty is in labour."

"How do you know this?" he asked, holding onto her hands.

"She came to see me before our wedding—"

Charlotte was cut off by Queen Jane's screams. "—she came and after congratulating me, she felt contractions."

Charles placed a hand on her shoulder and kissed her forehead. "Everything shall be well." Charles reassured. Charlotte nodded and the King came to view.

"Where is my wife?" he asked. Charlotte sighed.

"She is in labour, sire. She had no ladies-in-waiting with her and so my mother and Lady Rochford are helping her. Two other maids should be there."

Queen Jane had been having a difficult birth. She let out another sharp cry. Henry closed his eyes. "Please God, do not take my wife from me." He whispered.

Henry billowed off again. Charles and Charlotte stole glances. "I…" Charles began.

"I was so ready to be married today!" Charlotte whispered. Charles nodded, understandingly. He took hold of Charlotte and held her in his arms. Just then, His Majesty was walking back towards them. "Your Grace, you may still marry this day. Go, and I shall be there to be a witness."

Charlotte looked relieved and dropped on her knees. "Thank you, Your Majesty!" she cried. She took hold of Henry's hands and kissed them. Henry smiled and lifted Charlotte off the ground. Charles and Charlotte then headed to the chapel. Thomas Cranmer, the Archbishop of Canterbury would marry them. Suddenly, she wished that her father were here to give her away. She felt a pang of regret. She looked at Charles. "Who is to give me away to you?"

His Majesty had come quicker than expected. He seemed to be in every part of Whitehall at once. "Allow me, Your Grace," Henry insisted. Charlotte raised a brow and Charles was stunned. There was naught one mistress Henry had ever been as good to as Charlotte. He would often just have one or two mistresses and then send them off. But, Charlotte was not like any other mistress who he had. She was loved by all who met her. She was humble and did not show greed, selfishness or lust. Charlotte had come here unwillingly, to His Majesties' demise. Charles walked into the chapel room. Henry held out his arm to Charlotte. Things had gotten so much better since the death of her father. It was as if a dark veil had been lifted of the Wallace family and His Majesty. "You look beautiful, Charlotte." Henry whispered just as the door opened.

"Thank you, Your Majesty," she whispered back, smiling slightly. All of Charlotte's guests rose. She felt her heart thud in her chest as she saw Charles and Archbishop Cranmer. Charlotte couldn't believe that she was actually getting married today! Her heart raced wildly as she came to the head of the chapel. She thanked the King and he kissed her cheek before taking his seat. The chapel was silent. He smiled and then went to stand behind the podium. Charles and Charlotte looked at one another with smiles and they took hands.

"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here in the presence of God, to join this man and this woman in holy marriage; which is instituted of God, regulated by his commandments, blessed by our Lord Jesus Christ, and to be held in honour among all people. Let us therefore reverently remember that God has established and sanctified marriage for the welfare and happiness of humanity. Our Saviour has declared that a man shall leave his father and mother and thus be joined to his wife. By his apostles, he has instructed those who enter into this relationship to cherish a mutual esteem and love; to bear with each other's infirmities and weaknesses; to comfort each other in sickness, trouble, and sorrow; in honesty and industry to provide for each other, and for their household in temporal things; to pray for and encourage each other in the things which pertain to God; and to live together as the heirs of the grace of life. If anyone has any reason why they cannot marry, speaketh now or forever hold thy peace."

No one had objected. "Good," Cranmer said, quietly. He then looked at Charles. "Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk, do you take Lady Charlotte Wallace to be your lawfully wedded wife, in sickness and in health—to have and to hold, from this day forward, for richer or poorer—for better or for worse—till death do you part?"

"Yes," he said. "I do,"

Charlotte felt her heart race even more. It was her vows to be exchanged next. "Lady Wallace of Norfolk, do you take Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk to be your lawfully wedded husband, in sickness and in health—to have and to hold, from this day forward, for richer or poorer—for better or for worse—till death do you part?" Cranmer said. Charlotte looked at Charles and smiled.

"I do," she answered. Cranmer closed his eyes and smiled. Charles and Charlotte turned to one another.

"I now pronounce you man and wife." He concluded. Charles pulled Charlotte into a kiss. She smiled as they kissed. At last, this day had come! Henry sat in his pedestal, smiling and the court clapped as Charles and Charlotte were united. Henry rose to his feet after the kiss. "May I introduce Her Grace, Charlotte Brandon, and Duchess of Suffolk?" he announced. Charlotte wrapped her arms around her husband and he hugged her back just as a messenger boy burst into the chapel.

"The Queen!" he cried. Henry glowered at the boy. "Your Majesty, the Queen has given birth to a son!"

Henry stared at the boy in shock and then laughed heartily, screaming out, "I HAVE A SON!"

Charles and Charlotte chuckled as His Majesty exited the chapel, still screaming, "I HAVE A SON!"

The newly-wed couple walked out of the chapel together and kissed as they walked. "Mm," Charlotte murmured, "I have something to tell you."

She looked her husband in the eyes. "What is it?" he inquired. She was giggling and bit her lip.

"I'm with child." She whispered. Charles couldn't have been anymore ecstatic. He pulled her up into his arms, kissed her and spun her around. Charlotte pulled away after he set her down. "This is the happiest day of my life!"

He laughed and stroked her on the side of her face. "As is mine," Charles said. He and Charlotte walked together down to the gardens.

"This is the most splendid day. Her Majesty has a son, we are married and soon to have a child of our own." Charlotte reminisced. They sat down and Charlotte leaned up against Charles.

"I am completely infatuated with Your Grace." He murmured. Charlotte chuckled and kissed him once more.

AN: YAY! THEY'RE MARRIED! Lol. I've been waiting to write their wedding. The reason why I updated so quickly was to make up for the time that I didn't update. I hope you all enjoyed this. =)